Kathleen Ann Zeiler

Kathy was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Cecelia V. Eberley (Mahoney) and George Eberley. She was a devoted wife of 54 years to the late David C. Zeiler; beloved mother to Christine (William) Benz of Alexandria,VA; grandmother of Cecelia and Lauren Benz; beloved sister of Robert (Bob) Eberley, the late David Eberley and nephew Michael Eberley; aunt to Jessica and Colleen Eberley, Shelly Schock and Vince Wirbicki.

Kathy graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1963. On August 30, 1969 she married David C. Zeiler at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in the south hills of Pittsburgh. She earned a nursing degree in 1984 from Duquesne University and a Masters in Education from Penn State University in 1988. Kathy and Dave were active parishioners at Nativity Parish in South Park township, before moving to the Washington, DC area in 1992 due to Kathy's advancing career with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Kathy received many honors and achievements throughout her VA career including head nurse, national women veterans program manager, associate director and hospital administrator.

Upon retirement, Kathy and Dave retired to Lake Anna, VA where they enjoyed hosting friends and family from far and near. She loved throwing parties and hosting bunco. Kathy, never one to sit still for long, entered a new career teaching the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Louisa County High School where she served as mentor to many young women, and established a nursing scholarship fund. Kathy especially loved travelling and being at the beach. She and Dave enjoyed cruises, beach trips and especially their adventures driving through Europe.

When Dave developed dementia in 2021, she devoted herself to his care day and night until his death in 2024. Upon his passing, Kathy moved closer to her daughter and joined the community at The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods where she enjoyed volunteering and helping with social and planning committees. Friends there that had only known her for a brief period noted her beautiful smile and joyful presence in the community. Kathy's legacy will live on in her nursing students who began their heathcare careers, in her friends who were touched by her kindness and hospitality and in family, especially her daughter and granddaughters who will miss her greatly but cherish her memory always.

The family will receive guests for visitation on Friday, March 14th from 6-8pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15th at 12pm at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mills Road, Springfield, VA. Kathy will later be interred at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

The family asks that donations may be made to either Catholic Charities or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in lieu of flowers. The family also wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at INOVA Schar Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Timothy Cannan, the nursing staff, and the volunteers and employees of the infusion center.